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Rocky Mountain Insurance Information
NEWS
6565 South Dayton St. #2400, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Serving Colorado, New Mexico, Utah & Wyoming
Contact: Carole Walker, Executive Director
(303) 790-0216 or 1-800-355-9524
Release Date: Immediately
Topic: Catastrophes
IRON MOUNTAIN FIRE TAKES THE SEASON’S FIRST MAJOR TOLL ON COLORADO HOMES—The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association has advice for homeowners during the evacuation & after they are allowed back into their homes.
June 4, 2002 – With some 100 homes reportedly destroyed so far by the Iron Mountain Fire near Canon City and at least three other fires burning in Colorado, there will be insured losses to homes and property. Insurance adjusters won’t be able to begin assessing the amount of damage until they can get into burned out areas. Evacuated residents should contact their company or agent to let them know where they are staying and how they can be contacted. In addition, homeowners who need extra money for out-of-pocket expenses while they’re evacuated from their homes may be eligible for immediate living expenses under their homeowners insurance policies. A mandatory evacuation triggers “loss of use” or “additional living expenses,” which is covered under most standard homeowners policies. Evacuated residents should also hang on to their receipts because they can either file a claim later, or if there is any damage to their home, many of those out-of-pocket expenses will also be reimbursed. The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association has this advice for homeowners impacted by the fires:
- Residents evacuated from their homes should contact their agents or companies immediately and let them know where they can be reached. Some companies already have claims adjusters on the scene at the Red Cross Shelter to process claims and answer questions. Contact your agent or company if you need additional living expenses while you are out of your home.
- Keep receipts. Out-of-pocket expenses during a mandatory evacuation are reimbursable under most standard homeowner policies.
- Take home inventories and financial documents with you when you are being evacuated. Always put safety first and leave your home immediately when asked by authorities. However, if there is sufficient time to gather items, the first thing you need to take is financial documents and your home inventory. Hopefully, you have prepared a home inventory in advance and it is kept off premises.
The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association has this advice for affected homeowners filing claims after the fire:
WHEN YOU ARE ALLOWED BACK INTO YOUR HOME
- Be prepared to give your agent or insurance representative a description of any damage. Your agent will report the loss immediately to your insurance company or a qualified adjuster. Smoke damage and damage from firefighting efforts (i.e. slurry damage) is covered up to your policy limits.
- Take photos of the damaged areas. These will help with your claims process and will assist the adjuster in the investigation.
- Prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Be sure to make two copies—one for yourself and one for the adjuster. Your list should be as complete as possible, including a description of the items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase and estimated replacement cost.
- Make whatever temporary repairs you can. Cover broken windows, damaged roofs and walls to prevent further destruction. Save receipts for supplies and materials you purchase. Your company will reimburse you for reasonable expenses in making temporary repairs.
- Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your home from a reliable contractor and give it to the adjuster. The estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs and replacement prices.
- Serious losses will be given priority. If your home has been destroyed or seriously damaged, your agent will do everything possible to assure that you are given priority.
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Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association is a non-profit consumer information organization. Affiliated with the Insurance Information Institute, RMIIA has been serving consumers and the media since 1952.
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